The October 2016 meeting of the UVNA saw a presentation by Harlan Powell representing the Red Apple convenience store located at 2000 W. Chicago Avenue.

The store has been closed for a few years, and residents came out to see what kind of concept would be proposed for it to reopen. The store is still being rented by Irar “Ira” Sweiss who is again applying for a packaged goods liquor license. Unlike the previous store concept of late night hours and drive-up service, this plan would cater to local crowds interested in coffee, tea, sandwiches and upper-scale liquor (wine, craft beer and assorted spirits). The hours would be open until midnight, provide a security guard and have surveillance cameras connected to CPD facilities for live feeds of the intersection. These details were summarized for the attendees from a previous meeting with Alderman Hopkins who was presented with a plan of operation which would be added to the liquor license should it be approved.

Residents from East Village and Chicago Grand Neighbors joined UVNA members for this presentation, but immediately cited past issues with the Red Apple owner. Previous years saw testimony in court against the owner and his need for a liquor license at the location. Opposition included a letter from the then 13th District Police Commander citing safety concerns. Despite some of the changes being made to the new proposal, neighbors seemed to agree that there was an ongoing lack of trust. This store has been closed for years, and the point was made multiple times that that did not build any sense of community investment from the owner over the past few years. The location was referred to as dirty, mes, and in disrepair.

Alderman Hopkins listened to the discussion, which included a presentation by neighbor Suzi Wahl and local business manager Omar Quadri. Alderman Hopkins stated that he was aware of the past problems with the location, but as a new Alderman wanted to hear what neighbors thought of the upscale concept for that corner. The owner has not yet filed for a packaged goods license according to Harlan Powell, and the meeting ended with no outcome being determined. No vote was taken, the majority who attended seemed against the concept all together. The request was made that the owner should make an effort to run a store with liquor sales first to contribute to the community instead of paying to keep the store closed on a busy corner of the neighborhood.

The next UVNA meeting hosts a community presentation by the representatives of Red Apple convenience store, located at the northwest corner of Damen and Chicago Ave. Alderman Hopkins will also be in attendance.

Red Apple seeks a packaged goods liquor license for the location and will be presentaing their plan of operation for the community. Please attend and let the Alderman know if you are in support of this project or against.

This meeting is to take place in the basement meeting room of St. Helen’s School, located at 2347 W Augusta Blvd,

This is part of the monthly meeting series of the Ukrainian Village Neighborhood Association. Please continue to follow future meeting dates, times and topics.

When and Where:
Thursday Night, September 22nd from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. To be held in the basement meeting room at St. Helen Catholic School (2347 W Augusta Blvd). The entrance is off of Augusta Blvd. near the statue.

The Topics:
We will be reviewing upcoming projects in the neighborhood (some of which will be voted on at the next meeting on October 20th, 2016).

We will also discuss the results of an online poll about what the UVNA should focus on in the next year. Among them safety, repairs, preservation and education. This will add to our discussion of the best things Ukrainian Village has to offer and how the UVNA can help promote the neighborhood. For instance, don’t forget about the upcoming Open House Chicago neighborhood tours.

More topics may be added in the next week, we will send out another reminder email before the 22nd.

Please come out and join in the discussion, even bring a neighbor or two if you’d like. We hope everyone can stop by. We want to give a special thank you to Marianne Johnson and St. Helen Catholic School for letting us use their space for this meeting.

Additional 2016 meetings of the Ukrainian Village Neighborhood Association will be on Thursday, October 20th and Thursday, November 17th . All 2016 meetings will be at 6:30pm, located in the basement meeting space of St. Helen’s Catholic School (2347 W Augusta Blvd).

The next CAPS meeting is on Tuesday, October 4th at 7:00pm. Located in the basement meeting space of St. Helen’s Catholic School (2347 W Augusta Blvd).

The Annual St. Helen School Carnival will take place on Augusta Blvd. between Western Ave. and Oakley Blvd. from Friday to Sunday August 19th through the 21st.

The family-friendly carnival will feature rides; Eastern European, Latin, and American music; children’s entertainment; food concessions; and a beer garden. The St. Helen School Carnival and Music Festival will bring carnival rides and games, live music in our beer garden, food, and more to the 2300 block of West Augusta Boulevard in Ukrainian Village.

Carnival hours are Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday from noon to 10 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. General admission is free, and there is no cover charge for the live entertainment in the beer garden. Festival-goers can purchase individual carnival ride tickets or a $40 “mega pass,” which will entitle the holder to unlimited rides for the duration of the festival.

The UVNA is ready for the 2nd Annual Community-Wide Yard Sale. Last years event was held in May with over 50 participants. Neighbors across Ukrainian Village are organizing yard sales for Saturday, July 30th.

This extends to other neighborhoods in West Town as well, be sure to let the organizers know if you are interested in hosting a yard sale on your block. Email your name, location, and a brief description of items for sale to westtownyardsale@gmail.com.